Thomas Mifflin - Political Career

Political Career

Prior to Independence, Thomas Mifflin was a member of Pennsylvania's Provincial Assembly (1772–1776). He served two terms in the Continental Congress (1774–1775, and 1782–1784). He then served in the house of Pennsylvania General Assembly (1785–1788).

He was a delegate to the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787, as well as a signer of the Constitution. He served as the 5th President of the United States in Congress Assembled from November 3, 1783 – October 31, 1784 in Annapolis, Maryland. Notable acts as president included George Washington resigning his commission and the signing of the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784 (Ratification Day) along with Charles Thomson, who served as Secretary. This legislation marked the official end of the War and established the sovereignty of the United States. Mifflin also appointed Thomas Jefferson as Minister Plenipotentiary to France on May 7, 1784.

He was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and on November 5, 1788 he was elected President of the Council, replacing Benjamin Franklin. He was unanimously reelected to the Presidency on November 11, 1789. He presided over the committee that wrote Pennsylvania's 1790 State Constitution. That document did away with the Executive Council, replacing it with a single Governor. On December 21, 1790 Mifflin became the last President of Pennsylvania and the first Governor of the Commonwealth. He held the latter office until December 17, 1799, when he was succeeded by Thomas McKean. He then returned to the state legislature, where he served until his death the following month. Mifflin decreed that no less than six towns in Pennsylvania bear his name.